Blog

Alzheimer's Association offers free training and education for New York state pharmacists (Fall 2017)

Pharmacists can play a vital role in supporting those with dementia and their caregivers. The Coalition is currently partnering with the Pharmacists Society of the State of New York, and Price Chopper and Tops pharmacies across the state, to include Alzheimer’s Association information cards in prescription bags for those picking up dementia or Alzheimer’s medications. The cards include tips for living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, extensive free resources for the person and their caregivers, and the number for our 24/7 Helpline (which is offered in more than 200 languages).

Additional resources for pharmacists The Alzheimer’s Association statewide staff, who serve all 62 counties in New York, are available to:

Offer in-house training at your pharmacy, ranging from clinical information to educational programs to role playing in response to patients

Coalition Partners with the Medical Society of the State of New York (Fall 2017)

The Coalition is continuing its outreach to statewide groups that can help spread the word and educate their members about Alzheimer's disease. This fall, we published articles in the Medical Society of the State of New York newsletter. Check them out below.

Alzheimer’s Association “Prescription Pad” Resource Available

There are 390,000 New Yorkers with Alzheimer’s disease, a number that is expected to rise to 460,000 by 2025. In Commissioner Zucker’s recent “Dear Colleague” letter, he stated that Alzheimer’s “remains a serious concern for New York State, as increasing numbers of patients and their caregivers face the overwhelming challenges associated with the progression of this disease.”

The Commissioner recommends that physicians initiate and engage in conversations with patients about cognitive evaluation, activities of daily living and advance care planning. And referring patients and their families to the Alzheimer’s Association, when needed, is simple.

If you have any questions, contact Jeannine Smith at the Alzheimer’s Coalition. For more information, visit alz.org or call 1-800-272-3900, a free 24-hour Helpline available in more than 200 languages. Find additional state information at alznys.org.

Alzheimer’s Association Care-Planning Toolkit Helps Clinicians

After Medicare began covering care-planning visits in January 2017 for patients with cognitive impairment, the Alzheimer’s Association developed a toolkit to help clinicians provide the best care under the new Medicare code. The code allows you to provide services that can contribute to a higher quality of life for your patients.

A Harvard School of Public Health survey determined that 95 percent of Americans age 60 and older would want to know if they had Alzheimer’s, yet only 45 percent are actually notified of their diagnosis (Alzheimer’s Association, Facts & Figures2017). Early detection and diagnosis allows individuals and their caregivers to:

access available treatments, build a care team, use support services and participate in clinical trials

create advance directives regarding care and finances

better manage medications

Care planning for individuals with dementia is an ongoing process and a formal update to a care plan should occur at least annually. Download the toolkit – which includes best practices, validated tools, codes, rating scales and assessment guides – to facilitate diagnosis and care planning.

For more information, visit alz.org or call 1-800-272-3900, a free 24-hour Helpline available in more than 200 languages. Find additional state information at alznys.org.

coalition publishes six articles in Leading Age NY's quarterly newsletter (Spring 2017)

The Coalition is proud to announce that we published six articles in the spring edition of LeadingAge NY's quarterly newsletter, including articles about:

the benefits of early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, helping dementia

helping people with dementia remain in the least restrictive setting possible

creating a dementia-friendly facility

the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's

strategies to communicate with people with dementia

the benefits of a professional care consultation

Click here to read the full articles, which start on page 18 of the newsletter.

Who Knew That Sharing Your Story Would Have Such an Impact? (2016)

Last year, almost 200 family members, friends and individuals with Alzheimer’s from across the state joined together inAlbany on Rally Day to share their stories, their struggles and their needs with legislators. On the table was the Governor’s proposal for $25 million to sustain Alzheimer’s caregiver support services, the heart and soul of what the Alzheimer’s Association offers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Meeting by meeting, those grateful for the Alzheimer’s Association’s support through care consultations, support groups, educational programs or the 24-hour Helpline, described their Alzheimer’s journeys and elucidated the need for the support.

Legislators heard the message loud and clear: increased caregiver support was necessary for improved care of those diagnosed and for improved health of the caregiver. An investment in caregiver support could also delay (or eliminate the need for) placing loved ones in skilled nursing homes. Fifty million dollars was appropriated in the state’s 2015-2016 budget for increased Alzheimer’s caregiver support services over two years, and the Alzheimer’s Association is a key recipient of the investment.

On March 8, 2016, advocates again travelled to Albany and this time, they said thank you for the great investment and recognition of the vital role caregivers play in the Alzheimer’s journey.

Thank You

Now, we are saying thank you to you. Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for coming forward and asking for support. Thank you for telling your friends and family to also reach out to us for support. Thank you for posting on Facebook and Twitter. Thank you for writing letters to the editor. And thank you for the love, time and attention with which you care for your loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.

We look forward to seeing you again on March 14, 2017, for our next Alzheimer’s Rally Day.

For more information on statewide policy efforts, please contact Jeannine Smith, Director of Communications and Statewide Relations, at jesmith@alz.org or 518-867-4999, x222.